Tag Archives: how to

25 Ways to Improve Your Writing

Posted on October 16, 2025 by mitchteemley

Dear writers, and normal people too: I’m in the midst of a week-long project. And so, in an effort to avoid creative overload, I’m taking a break from blogging. Meanwhile, may I suggest you click on the link below to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

The Particularly Pompous Professor

Posted on April 5, 2025 by mitchteemley

I had a college Literature professor who loved to pontificate. Once he’d made a pronouncement, there was simply nothing more to be said. The class was aching to see him taken down. One day he proclaimed, “All books titled after … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

How to Get a RISE Out of Your Readers

Posted on March 22, 2025 by mitchteemley

How to be Funny Whether you’re a writer, teacher, politician or mortician, this three-part series will help you be wittier. In the previous post, we learned that a funny story begins with a crisis. Now we’ll talk about how to build … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

How to be Funny: Using the DRIP Method

Posted on March 21, 2025 by mitchteemley

How to be Funny Whether you’re a writer, teacher, politician or mortician, this three-part series will help you be wittier. In the previous post, I talked about the why of being funny. Now let’s look at the how. First and foremost, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Here’s Why Being Funny Matters

Posted on March 20, 2025 by mitchteemley

How to Be Funny Whether you’re a writer, teacher, politician or mortician, this three-part series will help you be wittier — or I’ll refund every penny you’ve paid! My first career was about funny. I spent 13+ years in sketch … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

You Can’t Always Give What You Want

Posted on February 8, 2025 by mitchteemley

Tips for Writers Writers, you’re probably thinking, “Well, of course. When I’m creating characters and storylines, my primary source of advice is always the Rolling Stones. Or maybe not. But Jagger does have a point. Don’t build a conventional dramatic … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humor, Popular Culture & Entertainment, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

How to Avoid Procrastination!

Posted on March 13, 2023 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week “Anticipation Procrastination Anticipation Procrastinay-yay-shun is making me late Is keeping me [and everyone else] way-yay-yay-yay-yay-aiting…” * According to an article in Psychology Today, the number one reason for procrastination is another “ation,” catastrophization, the tendency to … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

My Blogger Self-Recognition Award

Posted on February 24, 2022 by mitchteemley

At the Florida Comedy Film Festival  just weeks before the COVID pandemic broke out in 2020 (not my fault!) A special panel made up of Oprah Winfrey, Mahatma Gandhi and Justin Bieber has conferred upon me the coveted Blogger Self-Recognition Award. … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

How to be Funny

Posted on January 8, 2020 by mitchteemley

How to Get a RISE Out of Your Audience In Four Key Elements of Humor, we learned that a funny story begins with a crisis. Now we’ll talk about how to build on that crisis so your story will RISE … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

How to be Funny

Posted on January 7, 2020 by mitchteemley

Four Key Elements of Humor* In Why Funny Matters we looked at the what of funny. Now let’s look at the how. First and foremost, comedy feeds on conflict, or at least the potential for conflict. It can be an … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Movies, Popular Culture & Entertainment, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments